Local pollution, not Indon haze, forces 4 Cebu cities to suspend classes

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Worsening air pollution from local emissions, and not transboundary haze from Indonesia, has prompted four cities in Metro Cebu to suspend face-to-face classes on Monday, Oct. 12.

The cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay announced on Sunday, Oct. 11, class suspensions following reports of deteriorating air quality across Metro Cebu.

As of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, air quality index (AQI) here reached 180, which falls under the ‘very unhealthy category.’

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In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival ordered all public and private schools to suspend in-person classes and shift to asynchronous learning on Monday.

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READ: Metro Cebu air deteriorates to very unhealthy quality

“This precautionary measure aims to protect the health and safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel amid unhealthy air quality,” Archival said.

Meanwhile, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas suspended in-person classes in all public elementary and high schools.

Talisay City, however, left the decision to suspend in-person classes in private schools and Talisay City College (TCC) to their respective administrators.

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“This is a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel, especially our children who may be more vulnerable to poor air quality,” Gullas said.

He also urged residents to limit unnecessary outdoor activities, wear appropriate face masks when going outside, and take additional precautions, particularly those with respiratory conditions.

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Likewise, the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu also announced the suspension of face-to-face classes on Monday in Metro Cebu due to unhealthy air quality.

Unlike previous episodes linked to transboundary haze from Indonesia, authorities said the latest pollution problem stemmed from local sources, compounded by weather conditions that prevent pollutants from dispersing.

Authorities from the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) also identified cooler weather associated with the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, as a contributing factor to the deteriorating air quality.

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According to EMB-7, lower temperatures can trap pollutants closer to the ground, limiting their dispersal and causing pollution levels to rise. /das